City Hall unfazed by issue of 'overpriced' multicabs

THE City Hall on Monday shrugs off the issue on alleged "overpriced" multicabs that the city bought for distribution to some barangays in Davao City.

The issue spread in various radio stations few days after the city distributed the third batch of the multicabs to several 1st District barangays last Friday.

As of Friday, the city has already distributed 57 multicabs to 55 barangays and one to City Health Office (CHO) while another was given to the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO).

Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio merely brushed aside the controversy saying that the vehicles and other equipment that the city bought have passed all the procedures in line with the law.

The issue centered on the 80 multicabs that he city bought in two batches with different prices. For the first batch, the city bought 40 units at a price of P292,000 each while the second batch was priced P240,000 each.

"I checked all the papers and everything is in order, it was bidded and inspected," Duterte-Carpio told Sun.Star Davao in a text message.

The mayor also dared those who are behind the issue to surface and prove the overpricing of the vehicles.

In a separate interview, lawyer Usmundo Villanueva, chief of the City Legal Office (CLO) and chair of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), said the vehicles are worth their price.

Villanueva said the second hand vehicles were bought at a "reasonable" price considering the modifications.

"Nag subay jud ta dira sa tama nga bidding process ug nag invite ta sa mga interesado na mag bid (We really did follow the proper bidding process and all interested bidders were given a chance to bid)," Villanueva said.

The city shouldered the initial registration of all the units for immediate use, while the barangay councils will take care of the gas, maintenance, and minor repair expenses.

The multicab distribution is part of the city’s project to mobilize remote barangays especially those barangays that are hardly-reached by basic services of the government. (JOP)